Books of Daily Thoughts and Prayers by Swami Paramanda. Swami Paramananda
But Thou, unfailing Giver,
Didst fill it anew
With Thy fresh oil of life.
Now it burns again with fervent, steady and luminous glow.
Lesson.
Every day we can keep the light burning within; but when the light is burning we must not become so elated that we cease to be watchful. If we have something real and vital in our life, we cannot go astray. So long as we live in the spiritual depths of our being we are safe. When we live with an exalted spiritual Ideal constantly before us, our life will radiate power and the brightness of true joy.
Prayer.
O Thou Eternal Light of the Universe,
Fill my life with Thy Divine radiance.
Awaken in my heart the sense of Thy Holy Presence.
Abide with me at every hour in my work and play.
May I never fail to manifest Thee in all my thoughts, words and deeds.
JANUARY SIXTH
Salient Thought for the Day.
When we try to find our happiness from external conditions, every time we shall fail.
Lines to Memorize.
They call me again and again when I sit by Thy side;
They think I am lonely and unloved.
How they pity my state!
They offer me much, but I smile—
For they know not the secret of this unseen comradeship.
Lesson.
There is great joy, bliss and happiness in the life on spiritual consecration if we understand it. When our spiritual understanding deepens, spiritual truths become living for us. It is so sad when people close their door and deprive themselves of spiritual blessing.
Prayer.
O Tender Lord, Thou art the supreme Joy of my heart.
Thou art the One to be loved and sought after.
Thou art the Eternal among the changing. Thou art an unfailing Light in the darkness of the world.
May I feel Thy great Life pervading my little life.
Thy mighty Love strengthening my lesser love.
Surround me with Thy holy protection
And grant unto me Thy peace.
JANUARY SEVENTH
Salient Thought for the Day.
All life is to teach us how we may bring the living presence of our Ideal into our consciousness.
Lines to Memorize.
Verily Thou art my life’s fulfilment;
The cause of my joy and sorrow, laughter and grief;
My soul’s sunshine and heart’s raincloud.
Lesson.
When our life becomes empty, to fill this emptiness, we try to gather from outside and we gain emptiness. We try to find something permanent and we seek it in the fleeting. Consciousness of the presence of the Eternal within our soul alone will bring us peace and enduring satisfaction. There is no anarchy or accident in the cosmic universe. There is no uneven distribution of favor and disfavor. Only as we seek that which does not shift or change do we find our fulfilment.
Prayer.
O Thou Infinite and Ever-blessed One,
Thou art the conscious Being abiding in the hearts of all conscious beings.
Do Thou fill my heart with a living sense of consecration to Thee,
That I may learn to follow Thy path with unwavering faith and whole-hearted devotion.
Grant me spiritual insight that I may know and do Thy Will.
JANUARY EIGHTH
Salient Thought for the Day.
No man is cut off from the Divine Source.
Lines to Memorize.
My heart grows bold with faith as I know Thy protecting love.
I shall weep no more for sadness if Thou but stayest near me.
I know that Thy blessed Presence alone is life complete, unbroken peace, an island of eternal joy.
Lesson.
No one can have a monopoly of spirituality. No one can claim exclusive right to it. It is not something cut and dried. Spirituality means getting away from all that is calculating, cold and hard. No one can rob us of it except when we ourselves yield to our lower instincts.
Prayer.
Help me to give myself to complete spiritual union with the Source of strength and illumination.
Lift me above all bondage and weakness.
Make my mind so free and one-pointed that it may be full of strength.
May I turn towards the Light,
That Light which reveals, the Light that redeems;
To that Light which restores and replenishes.
JANUARY NINTH
Salient Thought for the Day.
If we keep ourselves ever close to the Great Eternal One, nothing can go wrong with us.
Lines to Memorize.
My soul is at peace since the dawn.
A cool breeze of new hope hath soothed my troubled heart—
Yea, the weight of life hath fallen from me.
I am bathed; I am refreshed in this new life
That Thou hast mercifully shed upon me, Thy undeserving child!
Lesson.
Spiritual life means renewal in everything, new ideas, new thoughts, new life. Even the body is renewed and sanctified. We have constant opportunity to prove that we are God’s children. How Not by works, but by our love, by our service, by our life.
Prayer.
May the Divine Mother give me spiritual joy
And make my heart free from all doubt an despair.
May my thoughts and prayers always b directed towards Her.
May She fill my heart more and more wit selfless love, humility, patience, gentleness, an egolessness.
May holiness and peace reign in my life.
JANUARY TENTH
Salient Thought for the Day.
Think what it means to every man that, as he walks through life, he is eternally with God.
Lines to Memorize.
Thou art my life’s consummation,
My abode of unbroken rest;
I lay at Thy transcendent Feet
My weary heart, for its peace.
Lesson.
In